“If you have more services provided in the community, you will have less happening in hospitals,” he told LBC Radio. “That may mean wards shutting down, that might mean fewer beds."

Asked whether hospitals will inevitably have to close because of financial pressures, Mr Lansley said: “I don't think that's necessarily the case. I don't know that across the NHS that people are proposing to shut hospitals.

"What we're looking for is to think really good clear radical thoughts about how we can design better services."

Mr Lansley managed to push through his health reforms in March, after a bitter battle with doctors groups such as the British Medical Association.

Its critics and Labour have accused the Government of gambling on the future of the NHS without letting the public know the potential risks.

The Government argues the proposed legislation will give GPs greater control over treatment and make the health service more efficient.

Last night, a Labour spokesman accused the Prime Minister of going back on his word on the NHS.

“Before the last election David Cameron promised a bare knuckle fight against hospital closures," he said. "Now that those very A&Es and maternity wards are closing one by one, it’s clear this was yet another cynical promise on the NHS.”